Casual Listening 2-1-08

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

Special Guest Reviewer: Yesh Pavlik

February 1, 2008

!! Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (rock)

Am I allowed to put 2 “!!” up? Because this album is awesome! Your ear is ready for this awesome band. Afro-pop inspired, New York kitsch representing, Vampire Weekend will have you smiling, throwing your body around and dusting off your Paul Simon, “Graceland” album. You’ll get cooler just by listening to this.

* The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead (rock)

This is for all of the U2 fans out there. Helio Sequence’s sound is what I imagine flying like a bird to feel like. Steady, smooth, self-propelling and rhythmic. A great choice for a nice long drive with this one. Highlighted songs include, Lately, and Hallelujah. (It will also join the ranks of those songs people think they know the words to but end up singing things like, “Bring me a pie of love” instead of “Bring me a higher love” (Cough – Katrina))

*Alberta Hunter – Amtrak Blues (blues – special market re-release)

Originally released in 1987, Alberta is getting a new chance to sing as this album is re-released this week. And thank goodness! Hunter’s famous large personality, sweetness and sass seem to fall out of her mouth with her words. Her “aww, yea” sound belongs alongside classic Ray Charles and Dinah Washington.

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (electronic)

While I’m pretty sure they are wearing random swim trunks they found at the Salvation Army on their album cover, their music is worth a listen. A little poppy, pretty hip and hypnotic, MGMT creates a sound that has some rockin’ 70’s and 80’s beats, Michael Jackson qualities, and wacky electronic sounds. Check out Electric Feel and Time to Pretend to really get a sense.

SSM – Break Your Arm for Evolution (rap)

Not at all what you’d expect Rap/Hip-Hop to sound like. SSM is a little spooky, a little like a Salvador Dali painting, a little like a hipster kid singing to his drum machine. Interesting to say the least, the jury is still out on this one.

Pat Metheny – Day Trip (Jazz)

Pat Metheny is undeniably a living jazz legend. This album is a credit to his reputation as a master. Colorful, easy to listen to, and full of Metheny’s signature improvisational genius. This album is worth your attention.

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.

Casual Listening 1-25-08

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

January 25, 2008

! Ellis Paul – The Dragonfly Races (folk)

If you’ve got a young friend in your life, do yourselves both a favor and buy this album. These are imaginative acoustic tunes that go beyond the usual bathtime/playtime/bedtime fare to sing about road trips, chameleon protest marches, and the dragonfly races mentioned in the title. Brimming with hope for a better world, this is one of the best new folk recordings for any age that I’ve heard in a while. My son’s going to get a strong dose of this, and I hope yours enjoy it too.

* Cat Power – Jukebox (rock)

Fine and mellow renditions of familiar songs in unfamiliar settings. Cat Power’s Chan Marshall is a capable crooner who has rewritten classics such as “New York, New York” and Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” in moody, resonant ways. Amidst cavernous reverb, these songs are cave paintings – suggestive and lasting.

* Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (country)

Epic country-rock that drives deep into the psyche of America. Wailing guitars and lonely pedal-steel accompany stark rural narratives of hard times and changing times.

Matt Costa – Unfamiliar Faces (rock)

Wry pop songcraft. Costa’s ear for a good tune is well-calibrated. The spotlight is on the vocals and acoustic guitar, held against a variety of instrumental backdrops, some sunny, some cloudy, all satisfying.

Get Set Go – Sunshine, Joy, & Happiness: A Tragic Tale of Death, Despair, and Other Silly Nonsense (rock)

If music were breakfast cereal, Get Set Go would be Sugar Corn Pops. Sounding instantly delicious and energizing, the grim lyrics represent the misgivings of questionable nutrition and an impending sugar crash. They’re fun! Eat them anyway!

Note: next week Jeff will be out of town, and you’ll be in the capable hands of special guest Listener, Yesh Pavlik.

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.

Casual Listening 1-18-08

Casual Listening

Extra!

January 18, 2008

“Once” for best picture (folk) soundtrack released 5-07

I heard the music before I saw the movie, and on first listen, I wasn’t particularly affected by it. Fragile, heart-on-your-sleeve songwriting with meticulous harmonies and lyrics that could refer to anything or nothing – a decent listen, no more, no less.

Then I saw the movie. Now I can’t stop singing these songs.

Once is a magically beautiful film. The love that comes from communicating musically with someone comes through palpably. It’s also refreshingly free of Hollywood embellishment – you’re left with a story that is what it is. I still think the same set of songs could have been written for any number of movies, but the fact that they lived in this one means that I’ll always well up with joy whenever I hear them.

Saul Williams for rock superstar

The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust! (rock) released 11-07

I didn’t hear of this album until the critics on Sound Opinions admitted they missed it when it was first released. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, whose dense production on the album is fabulous, put out a press release complaining that after a Radiohead-style pay-what-you-will online release, no one was paying. So now it’s $5, and five of the best dollars you’ll spend on music this year. This is aggressive music that falls in the cracks between rock, rap, and industrial music, revealing impressionistic visions of a tragic Black artist. Drop a fin and do your part to rescue this excellent piece from obscurity.

A review of Niggy Tardust and an interview with the musicians behind Once is available at http://www.soundopinions.org/

Casual Listening 1-18-08

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

January 18, 2008

* Monterey Jazz Festival 50^th Anniversary All-Stars – Live 2007 (jazz)

Jazz giants at play. Terrence Blanchard, Benny Green, Derrick Hodge, Kendrick Scott, and James Moody, with Nnenna Freelon contributing an amazing performance on vocals. From bop-influenced finger-busters to an inspired version of “Misty,” this set is on fire.

Eric Lindell – Low on Cash, Rich in Love (blues)

The best soul music doesn’t leave room for despair – no matter what you’re going through, you can’t help but feel better just listening to it. Eric Lindell picks up your mood from the first bars and won’t let you down for a dozen songs. Hammond organ and horns add to the celebration.

Human Drama – Cause and Effect (rock)

Music to drink absinthe and write poetry by. Beautiful and sad, but still intensely alive. Mid-tempo, urgent songs with churning guitars and ethereal harmonies.

Mojo Kamikaze – Mojo Kamikaze (rock)

Classic-style metal that’ll bring you back to the days you first tasted Metallica. Big power chords and gritty, not growly vocals drive a seriously heavy rock&roll experience.

Mars Arizona – Hello, Cruel World (country)

Dip into the river of American music, and pull out a cup of old-time, bluegrass, and country-rock. Mars Arizona serves it up admirably. This is alternative country only in the sense that an older sound is an alternative to what’s on country music radio these days.

In the blog this week: “Once” for best picture. Saul Williams for rock superstar.

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.

Casual Listening Extra 1-11-08

Casual Listening

Extra!

January 11, 2008

How to make a record for kids

I’m consistently surprised at how the schlockiest music always gets pushed on the people who deserve it least: children. Somehow, cheesy songs, hyperactive singers, and cheap gimmicks – which no adult would ever choose to listen to – seem to be encouraged for the younger set. Why would I want my son to think Barney is real music when he could be listening to Tito Puente or Bob Marley?

The catalyst of my rant is the release of Medeski, Martin, and Wood’s “Let’s Go Everywhere.” I had high hopes that this groovy jazz-rock band would stay cool and not condescend to kids on their latest, but alas. There are a couple of fun tracks, but most of it sounds like outtakes from their regular sessions that should have stayed in the circular file. On the other hand, I highly recommend Ruckus Roboticus “Playing with Scratches.” This is an album of wicked DJ beats with samples of kid paraphernalia, everything from 1950’s recordings for kids to the See&Say “This is a goat!” The album is not necessarily designed for kids, but I’d play it for mine in a heartbeat. Really fun stuff with a playful kid feel that you can’t help but dance to. Check it out.

p.s. If you want the real deal in what music to give to your kids, check out www.comechildrensing.com

Lupe Fiasco – The Cool (rap) released 12-07

Hyper-intelligent rhymes with lush production, this is a story about life in the spotlight. Score another winner for the Chicago school of hip-hop.

Mago de Oz – La Ciudad de los Arboles (Spanish rock) released 11-07

Jethro Tull en español. Progressive Celtic hard rock with flutes and faeries. You’ve got to hear it to believe it.

Casual Listening 1-11-08

Casual Listening

a review of cool new music

by Jeff Pinzino

January 11, 2008

! Left Lane Cruiser – Bring Yo’ Ass to the Table (blues)

Left Lane Cruiser’s high-voltage blues sound is downright nasty. Blistering electric slide guitar and leering vocals distill old-school Mississippi blues down to its rowdiest essence. This band has some major mojo.

* Kate Nash – Made of Bricks (rock)

Pop nouveaux with a British accent and attitude to spare. Nash gossips story-songs of modern love, and lack thereof. Lilly Allen fans should be jumping at this one.

Rhonda Vincent – Good Thing Going (bluegrass)

Solid bluegrass, country, and a dose of Western swing. Vincent’s voice manages high-lonesome and low-down styles with equal finesse. Vibrant roots music.

Zoom – Love Junket (jazz)

Exhibit A in the case to resurrect the jazz vibraphone ensemble. Organ and drums accent strong vibes work with straight-ahead takes on funky and familiar tunes by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young.

In the blog this week: How to make a record for kids, Lupe Fiasco, Mago de Oz.

* highly recommended

! highest recommendation

Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.